Actors are born to be legends. Then there are those that are trademarks of Biblical epics. "Ben-Hur" and "The Ten Commandments" are two such films. Millions of people have been touched by these great films. Certainly, there was no other talented actor than Charlton Heston. This last week, Heston became one with the God he had exalted so much on screen.
Heston's performances in these and other great films were, without question, among the best I have seen in my lifetime. One brings to mind the Red Sea sequence in "Commandments". Heston pulled off a performance that was way ahead of its time. The image of the parting of the Red Sea and his classic line, "Behold, His mighty hand!!!" remains fixed in the minds of all who were inspired by the story of Moses.
The Chariot race in "Ben-Hur" has been copied by so many filmmakers, including George Lucas. But again, it was Heston's performance that won out. He certainly deserved his Oscar for that performance.
Let's not forget the original "Planet Of The Apes" and that final scene with the Statue of Liberty. No one can picture a science-fiction classic without Heston and his struggle to adapt to a futuristic upside-down Earth.
I urge you to go to your video store and see these three great films again, and you will look at a man who was, and is, amongted the last of a breed of legendary actors whose performances surpass success. It is very rare for something like this to happen in motion pictures.
Thank you, Mr. Heston, for all you have left us to enjoy.
See ya later.
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